It's funny how different an experience it is to take care of a baby when you're raising a toddler at the same time.
With Kara, every development was mind-blowing and new, every milestone carefully jotted down somewhere until I had a chance to record it in her baby book. And yet, there was also a lot of downtime, too, not because our girl wasn't interesting, but when she's sitting there flipping through picture books, there's not much to do on the sidelines, you know?
Add Nathan to the mix, and now we have spice. His accomplishments are also mind-blowing but not so much new, as we've done this part before, so I often drop the ball when it comes to remembering red-letter dates associated with his growth (thank you, Parents blog, for filling in the gaps). And now, while we still delight in every roll and giggle, the coolest thing is watching these two interact with each other. There's not a moment of filler, and I couldn't be happier about it. (Though I wouldn't complain about being more well-rested.)
When we first brought Nathan home, Kara got over him pretty quickly and didn't pay much attention to the wriggling, screaming creature who had turned our family upside down. In the last couple of months, though, she's come to view him as a partner in crime, bringing him toys, engaging him in play, and showering him with affection. An adorable mother hen, that one. And Nathan eats it right up.
That's not to say we don't appreciate them individually. Kara still amazes me every day with her ability to quietly take everything in and demonstrate understanding without making a big show of it (aka talking). She's becoming such a little girl now, and I love thinking about which activities she'll show interest in as she gets older, what her talents might be, how her relationship with us will grow.
Meanwhile, I have been taken hostage by my son's flirty personality, the way he makes eyes with us all, how he eagerly opens wide for the kisses I plant on his mouth. Aside from occasional bouts with crab-assery, he is such a happy little guy, his bright light shining whether he's center stage or on the sidelines, witnessing the action.
Mitten Girl...
...and Superman.
And they are taking their show on the road.
And Luke wonders why I can't stop thinking about the idea of a third.
Edited to add 7-1-09: Not sure why I can't embed the video within my post like I have in the past. Feel free to e-mail with offers of help.
Edited to add 7-2-09: Problem solved! Copying the html code into Notepad before pasting into TypePad did the trick.
Oh my gosh-- they are so cute! Mine are 22 months apart, and they have recently reached this magic stage-- at 14 months and a little over 3-- where they play together without me, and it is so nice I want to have another!!
Posted by: harrytimes | July 01, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Normally I think people are crazy for having more than two, but considering how cute these two are, well, I wouldn't think that of you. You guys make good kids. :)
Posted by: Liz | July 01, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Oh that video is so dang cute!
I am so, so excited for you guys because the brother and sister thing only gets better from here. With 27 months between them, at 3.5 and 18 months, Rowan and Keaton are best friends (well, you know, except for when they're not). They play so cute together and have their own special games and ways of doing things. Most nights Bill and I just sit on the floor and watch them play, and I tell you there is just nothing sweeter in the whole world.
Posted by: rkmama | July 01, 2009 at 02:54 PM
I just hope AJU5 is as good of a big sister as Kara is!
Posted by: AJU5's Mom | July 01, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Yeah! This is the best part of multiple children. The fun they have together. :o)
That video was too cute. (Nathan, welcome to the world of Doing Whatever Your Older Sibling Sees Fit, haha.)
Posted by: Molly | July 01, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Good thing I'm NOT having any more because my ovaries exploded the first time Kara kissed him on the head in that video. Oh, my word, they are sweet! Nathan's turning into quite the looker! It's precious that Kara's so into him now. She's gonna be such a good big sister.
Posted by: Jen L. | July 01, 2009 at 10:00 PM
So cute!
Oh a 3rd will mess it all up. Ha! In all seriousness, 3 is a lot of work but it's also wonderful. Watching my youngest 2 kids play with each other, the one getting the other in trouble on a fairly consistent basis, is just smile-inducing. Well, when it's not frustrating anyway.
Posted by: Crystal | July 02, 2009 at 09:39 AM
It will only get better and more enjoyable to watch! I love that my two oldest are such great friends and playmates...at 6 and 4 they really have so much fun together! Now they're just waiting for their little 9 month-old brother to catch up and join the fun!
Posted by: Debbie | July 02, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Waaaaaaaaaaay too cute for words! Kara's giggles made me smile today.
Posted by: Lynne | July 02, 2009 at 10:45 AM
That video is so cute that it makes me want a second child! Preferably an easygoing jolly little boy like Nathan:)
Posted by: eva | July 02, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Nothing like the scarf on the head trick to get the people laughing!
Posted by: Lindsey | July 02, 2009 at 10:28 PM
It is such a joy to see them interact with each other. They play every well with each other. That adds to the house holds positive feelings.
Posted by: daddyd | July 05, 2009 at 07:53 PM
Ha! Nathan is the spitting image of his daddy, isn't he? So glad they're finding amusement in one another!
Posted by: Parsing Nonsense | July 06, 2009 at 02:50 PM